Calipari Happy To Be In Maui Field

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Kentucky coach John Calipari made headlines recently by expressing concern about playing in the Maui Invitational. On Sunday, however, Calipari seemed more than happy to be in the eight-team field.

"This is a great experience to find out what we are," he said.

In October, Calipari told aseaofblue.com, "The thing I didn't like about the schedule was Hawaii. We were locked into it. It was done before I got here and people had flights. ... Those are three games for a young team traveling across country, and then coming back."

Tournament chairman Dave Odom, who spoke to Calipari after those comments, harbors no ill will and understood his concerns.

"Four years from now, their fans are going to want to come back out here," Odom said. "John's first obligation is to his team and the university, but he also understands he has an obligation to the fans. We'll get him back."

Ollie With Team

UConn assistant coach Kevin Ollie has been attending practices, but not in an active role.

He will attend the games, but won't be on the bench. Ollie sustained bleeding and bruising to his right eye Nov. 10 when a stretching band recoiled in his face. Doctors said if a loose ball hit his face, or even if his blood pressure was raised during coaching, the eye could be in danger.

"It's frustrating but I've faced a lot of obstacles in my life and career," said Ollie, who could return to the bench Nov. 30 vs. New Hampshire. "It could have been a lot worse." … UConn will wear white as the home team today. … Alex Oriakhi, who broke his nose last month, no longer needs to wear a protective mask. ... Charles Okwandu will likely replace Tyler Olander and Niels Giffey will replace Jamal Coombs-McDaniel in the starting lineup. … Jim Calhoun had fun making comments to other coaches during a press conference.

"It's a great field," Calhoun said. "Obviously Michigan State should win it going away. Tommy's [Izzo] got one of the finest teams I've seen in 10, maybe 20 years. And John's [Calipari] got more talent than the Celtics. I'll close on that, because I just really like John, and I really, really like Tom, and I just wanted to say good morning to them."